Two suspects held in connection with the murder of Coulsdon student Meredith Kercher have been told they must stay in jail.

The 21-year-old's housemate Amanda Knox, 20, and Knox's boyfriend, 23-year-old Raffaele Sollecito, could be held for up to a year before trial under Italian law.

They were informed of their fate at a closed hearing yesterday, after their lawyers appealed against their continued detention.

They both deny playing any part in Meredith's murder.

Meredith's body was found on November 1 in Perugia, where she had been living.

She was found with her throat cut and police have said there was evidence of violent sex.

A third man Diya Lumumba, 38, has already been released while a fourth man Rudy Hermann Guede, 20, was arrested in Germany and is awaiting extradition.